Why is WSDOT
overhauling the Amtrak Cascades trainsets?
A trainset is a grouping of passenger rail cars, not including the locomotive. There are five original trainsets in the Amtrak Cascades fleet, comprised of groupings of 12 to 13 cars. WSDOT owns three - the Mt. Adams, the Mt. Rainier, and the Mt. Baker - and Amtrak owns two – the Mt. Hood and the Mt. Olympus. Two trains purchased by Oregon have been added to the fleet for a total of seven. These trains operate over the 467-mile rail corridor that connects Eugene, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C.

Amtrak Cascades trains are heavily used and require periodic upgrades so they continue to provide amenities for Pacific Northwest travelers. The overhaul work extends trainset life so they continue to provide public benefit well into the future.

Since 2008, WSDOT, Amtrak, and the trainsets’ manufacturer, Talgo Inc., have worked together to renovate the Business and Coach Class cars of the original fleet, upgrade the restrooms and vestibules, add safety features, and made upgrades to suspension systems and on-board computers. In 2011, we added Wi-Fi service and installed new video monitors. In May 2013, the upgrades referenced above were complete.

The End Result
The Amtrak Cascades fleet of equipment will continue to be safe, clean, and attractive to the travelling public.

Project Benefits

Continued operation of Amtrak Cascades routes between Eugene, OR, and Vancouver, B.C.

Extended service life of the publicly-owned trainsets

What is the project timeline?

Work began in March 2012 and interior upgrades to all trainsets were complete in May 2013.

WSDOT and Amtrak completed upgrades to the Wi-Fi system in December 2013.

New coffeemakers are being installed on the five original trainsets. This work began last month in January 2015.

Financial Information

This project is funded through the following sources:

2005 Partnership Funding (Weight Fees) - $9 million

Total Funding From All Sources - $9 million

How can I get more information?Contact:Kirk Fredrickson, Cascades Operations SupervisorState Rail DivisionPO Box 47407Olympia, WA 98504-7407360-705-7939Fredrik@wsdot.wa.gov